• 1. Where to Stay
• 2. Where to Eat
• 3. What to Do
• 4. Insider’s Tip
• 5. An Oddball Day

Inside Lance Armstrong's bike emporium.   (Photo: Courtesy of Mellow Johnny)

Visit Lance Armstrong’s new one-stop bike shop, Mellow Johnny's, which has everything from commuter showers to rentals to a bike valet who'll watch your wheels as you shop. Grab a breakfast taco at the adjacent Café Juan Pelota (that’s slang for “one ball”) or a strong cappuccino made from the locally roasted Ghisallo espresso beans, named for the patron saint of cycling.

A series of sticky Texas peach stands awaits you in rolling Hill Country, ideal riding terrain just outside the city. Leave Austin early in the morning to avoid church traffic (yes, it exists) and get on 290 toward Fredericksburg. Double back on the Greenbelt and stop at Tacodeli off the popular Barton Skyway on Spyglass. The chicken frontera fundito and a fresh-squeezed OJ make for excellent road fuel.

Join Austin's divergent bike scene by meeting up with one of the different group rides; there's really something for everyone. Choose from full-moon jaunts, naked cycling, critical-mass events and swap meets found on the Austin on Two Wheels Cycling Events Calendar or tag along with Derek Yorek (derekyorek@gmail.com) from Jack and Adam’s Bike Shop to be led down some of Austin’s most protected paths. Pick a side with one of two competing bike groups, WAR and Team Hump, both of whom offer combo bike ride and bar crawls.

Published on Aug 13, 2009 as a web exclusive.